In Your Eyes Projects opens season two with 'Constellations'

NEWS RELEASE

IN YOUR EYES PRODUCTIONS

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In Your Eyes Projects opens their second season of live theatre at The TECH on Feb. 8 with Constellations by the prolific, young British writer, Nick Payne. The production features Adam Proulx and Lauren Kinney, and is directed by Joseph Lauzon and Loretta Durat. 

    •    General admission tickets available at the door each show night (Feb. 8-11), or in advance at the TECH or online.
    •    Dinner and theatre packages: Invite that 'special someone' for a remarkable evening including a dinner for two at Santini’s Bistro (in The TECH) and two reserved theatre tickets.
    •    For details and to purchase tickets visit here.

Nick Payne has been called “one of the most dazzlingly gifted dramatists of a new generation — sharp, funny, wise, humane.” His inspiration for writing Constellations began with the theory of the quantum multiverse where, as the play explains, “every choice, every decision you've ever and never made exists in an unimaginably vast ensemble of parallel universes.”

Constellations explores what may happen when you place a quirky quantum physicist (Marianne) and an eccentric beekeeper/maker of artisanal honey (Roland) in diverse alternate versions of their life together. Anything and everything can happen, and does. In a series of scenes, we watch these thirty-somethings fall in love over and over, witnessing how every choice they make has a different, life-altering outcome.

Director Joseph Lauzon was immediately intrigued upon first reading the play: “It is not often that you come across a script that explores the relationship between two people in such a manner to both reveal the infinite possibilities of their love while embracing scientific theory. It is unlike anything I have read before. It is comedic and tragic, silly and significant and the type of script that definitely is carving out new ground for others to follow.”

Dubbed a “collision of science and romance” this play has delighted audiences around the world and is sure to have the same effect on theatregoers seeing it presented for the first time in Sault Ste. Marie.

Director Loretta Durat comments: “Payne often compares the arts with science in that they both explore what it is that makes us human. So it’s not surprising that one of the great strengths of the piece is its relatability. I think our audiences will love these two characters and feel for them in the rush of the many emotions they reach in each universe from the nerdy, crippling awkwardness of first meetings to heightened moments of mistrust and interrogation, heartbreaking struggles to communicate and beautifully impulsive and almost giddy intimate moments … and so on.”

The play requires skilled, versatile actors with a great sense of play and the co-directors feel they have that in casting Lauren Kinney and Adam Proulx. Having worked with both actors in the past Joseph Lauzon is “thrilled” to be working with them once again: “Adam has already carved out an impressive professional career as an actor, writer and creator and has been very busy working across the country. Lauren is a highly successful dance instructor and award winning choreographer. We are very lucky to be working with two highly creative people on such an innovative script.”

The play is a particularly rewarding opportunity for the actors who are also the very best of friends, having met through theatre projects in the community.

Adam on working with Lauren: “Lauren and I worked together in Chicago for the first time. We became fast friends because she had a car and could drive me home. She is, to this day, one of my best friends. Perhaps because I still don’t have a car. But in all seriousness, she is such a wonderful actress and I’m so thrilled to have the chance to do this show with just us onstage.”

Lauren on working with Adam: “Adam is one of the most creative, intelligent and humorous people I know (don't tell him I said that, though). He's never afraid to try something new, and he is always pushing himself to be better, which in turn makes me work harder. I remember when we worked together in Beauty and the Beast and we only had a few scenes together, but he was always trying to find a way to make each scene better. Sometimes it ended up with me accidentally strangling him with a scarf, but through the process I found out how his brain works and that we work really well together on and off stage. I am honoured to be doing this production with one of my best friends.”

Adam Proulx will be one of two professional actors that hail from the Sault who will return to their hometown to perform with IYE this season.

Adam reflects on why he is most excited to return to the Sault for this performance: “As much as I have loved every city I have had the chance to work in (be it Toronto, Vancouver, Orlando, rural Ontario, etc.) there is always something wonderful about coming back to the Sault to work. It’s comfortable in that it feels like a very familiar and supportive atmosphere. I have been performing and working in The Tech (under various names) for nearly two decades. In fact my high school drama classes, as taught by Joe himself, were in that very room.”  

That and his Mom’s meatballs.

It’s a challenging play for all involved. Adam observes “there’s a lot to unpack here!” and Lauren admits to being a little nervous. But then again, that is what Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson stated as they were about to open their very successful award winning version of Constellations on Broadway.

Journey with us on this adventure through time and space at the TECH next week! 

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